When we went out to the stables, I found it sweet to see all of the Rapidash and especially Squeaker greet Jackson. They snuffled all over his body as if to make sure he was real. It was obvious that Jackson adored these pokemon as much as his mother, and I contentedly stood off to the side as I watched the touching reunion.

"Wait, Serena, you're riding Delta?!" Jackson exclaimed, after pushing Queen away, who was leaning the bridge of her nose against his chest. I nodded without saying anything, but I was surprised when Delta affectionately butted his nose against the back of my shoulder.

Bree was giving me a pointed glance, but I tried to ignore it as I remained silent. It had been easy to be my normal self around Jeremy and his mother, but something about Jackson reminded me keenly of my old fans back in Kalos while I was a rhyhorn racer and before I knew it I'd retreated deep within myself just like I always had when someone brought up rhyhorn racing. It was shameful for me to act that way, I knew that, but I'd disliked almost everything about my solitary, pointless existence when I was a pro racer. Even though I was grateful that Jackson had supported me... I really didn't want him to see me as a rhyhorn racer anymore.

"Soooooooo," Bree said into the awkward silence that descended, "Are you just wanting to see if we can stay in the saddle at full speed without cracking our heads open?" 

Glancing up, I realized that Jackson was staring at me, but he quickly jerked his head to turn away from me and faced Bree.

"Have you even looked at the race course?" he asked, his voice holding a hard edge to it, but I thought I saw a glimmer of excitement in his expression. "The path travels all around the town through the forest and there are tons of natural obstacles. You can't just be good at galloping, you have to be able to jump and weave and command your Rapidash to let loose the occasional flamethrower to get things out of your way!"

"They've only been riding for a week, Jackson. You can't expect them to be experts," Bethany cut in, looking both disappointed and a little worried as she looked between her son and Bree.

"Mom, this is going to be dangerous! If they can't ride then no way can we let them do this," Jackson argued, once again glancing over at me and then quickly turning to look at Bree. It was sweet of him to worry about us, but I'd seen the suffering that Bethany and Jeremy had gone through. If I could do something to help them and the townspeople, then I was going to do it.

Bree looked like she was about to argue with Jackson again, but I didn't think we'd ever convince Jackson with words. So I walked over to Delta and began saddling him. Bethany was quick to assist Bree as Jackson continued to say how dangerous being in the race would be. I tightened the last strap, placed my left foot in the stirrup while holding onto the pommel of the saddle, then with a small push from my right foot I flung my leg over the saddle and settled into position easily.

Looking over at where Jackson had been arguing with Bree, I saw that his mouth was slightly ajar as he looked up at me with a dazed expression atop Delta. With the lightest of flicks on the reins, Delta began walking forward until I could look directly down into Jackson's eyes.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked calmly. 

Jackson snapped his mouth closed so hard I heard his teeth click against each other. I saw his adam's apple bob up and down under his skin before he collected himself enough to speak.

"Go from a walk to a gallop, and there is a water trough outside for pokemon that I want you to jump over."

"Oy, we haven't done any jumps yet! Don't ask for the impossible," Bree called out as she hopped, trying to get enough momentum to propel herself into the saddle. I found it interesting that even though Bree was incredibly athletic, she had such a hard time mounting a Rapidash. But I assumed nerves about having a living creature carrying her had something to do with that.

"I'll do it," I declared quietly, looking into Jackson's eyes for a moment before turning away and guiding Delta toward the entrance of the stables.

"You can do it, Serena!" Jeremy called exuberantly from his spot next to Squeaker, who gave a cheerful squeaking neigh. 

I could feel my face relax as I looked at the two friends and I raised one hand to wave at them. Squeaker raised herself up onto her back hooves and waved both of her front ones at me in a return wave and I couldn't help but laugh at her antics.

"I don't think I'm ready for a jump, Serena," Bree called out from her position a little behind me. I gave her a soothing smile and shook my head.

"Just slow down to a walk when I get close to the trough. I'll make the jump," I replied with an unusual spurt of confidence.

Bree nodded hesitantly and I turned to face the front and surveyed the area around me. There were a few people lounging on the benches set up in front of the rehabilitation center, but besides that the open field surrounding the center was empty. Leaning down slightly I brought my mouth as close to Delta's ear as I could and spoke to him quietly.

"I've never tried to jump over anything with you, Delta, but I know that you can do it easily. I'll follow your lead, so when we come up to the trough, please jump with all you've got." 

Delta moved his neck up and down in a show of agreement. I smiled and patted his neck, feeling the flames of his mane flick across my burn-resistant gloves.

Tapping my heels against Delta's sides, he began taking easy steps forward. With a small flick of the reins Delta's speed picked up into a jolting trot, but I found that I kind of enjoyed the bouncing rhythm of a trot. I was quick to bring him up into a canter though, and just before we were about to circle around the building, I snapped the reins and tapped more firmly against his sides and he let loose his full power. I felt a rush of adrenaline race through my body as I seemed to meld into Delta's intense speed. The pounding of his hooves against the grass thrummed up his legs and seemed to drum straight through to my heart and I couldn't keep a wide grin from spreading across my lips.

I kept him at the dizzying speed all the way around the building, checking every once in a while that Bree was keeping her seat on Queen behind us. We made our way back towards the stable where everyone was waiting for us. I set my sights on the trough of water placed off to the side of the stable and lined up Delta to be in a position to leap over it.

"Here we go, Delta!" I called out as he thundered forward without fear. Rhyhorn most definitely did NOT jump, so I honestly had no idea how to guide Delta into it. Still, I trusted that he knew what to do. So in order to not get in his way, I loosened the reins and closed my eyes.

With my sight suddenly cut off, I could focus solely on my body and how it was moving in complete harmony with Delta's steady strides. A yell of alarm was coming from somewhere beyond me, but I ignored that as I felt Delta's stride change. As he clenched his abdominal muscles, I followed suit and gripped him with my thighs as tightly as I could. I felt his hooves suddenly impact the ground joltingly before his body began to tilt upwards. I leaned forward to counter the force that was trying to pull me off Delta's back, and I clenched my abs to keep my center of gravity more solid. I peeked out of one eye and then both of my eyes widened as I saw Delta seemingly fly over and beyond the long trough.

A rush of excitement went through me at the amazing feeling of weightlessness, but all too soon we were dipping back down toward solid ground. Delta landed with a jolt that sent a ripple of pain up through my body, but I hardly even noticed it as I excitedly urged Delta forward. Delta and I raced past our spectators and I could hear Jeremy cheering while jumping up and down in excitement.

A familiar squeaking whinny caught my attention, and I craned around in the saddle to see Squeaker running on her spindly legs as fast as she could to try and catch up to Delta. I grinned widely and nudged Delta in the side with my knee before pulling gently on the reins. He responded immediately, making a wide turn, and we ran over to Squeaker, then ran in several tight circles around her as she whinnied her version of a laugh. Delta nickered affectionately as I slowed him to a walk and we walked alongside Squeaker back to where Bethany's little family was waiting. Past them, I could see Bree and Queen walking over to the stable as well.

As we got closer to Jackson, Delta picked up his pace without my prompting. I let him do as he wished and I was surprised when Delta placed his nose affectionately against Jackson's waiting palm. I remained in Delta's saddle as Delta and Jackson greeted each other, and Jeremy ran up and tugged gently on my leg.

"That was awesome, Serena!! It looked like Delta was flying for a minute!" Jeremy gushed excitedly, before stepping away and flinging his arms back and forth. "And you were going so fast! You were like, zoom and then whoosh!"

Bree and I both laughed at Jeremy's antics, but my gaze moved over to Jackson. Seeing him standing, even though he was slouching a little because of the pain in his legs, he was actually a little taller than Delta, which meant he was nearly 6 feet. I wondered what he would look like on the back of a Rapidash, but then his head tilted up and he met my gaze. I was surprised to see that his cheeks were flushed red and, for some reason, his embarrassment was making me feel embarrassed too.

"Wasn't she great, Jackson?!" Jeremy exclaimed, coming over and wrapping an arm around his brother's waist. Jackson patted his brother on the head, but his gaze never wavered from mine as he cleared his throat awkwardly.

"That was... really awesome," Jackson said while looking like he was purposefully trying to act cool. "You are absolutely amazing when you're racing. And Delta really trusts you..."

Bree snickered loudly and I looked over to see her swinging her leg awkwardly over the saddle and dropping down to the ground. She flashed me a grin and then folded her arms, giving her best 'told you so' look at Jackson.

"NOW will you let us race?" she asked with a challenging glint in her eyes. Jackson scowled over at her, finally pulling his gaze from my face and I let out my pent-up breath. I really didn't handle fans my own age very well.

"Your form is terrible. Do you really think you can keep up with her?" Jackson snapped at Bree, and I was surprised when she actually blushed.

"That's why I chose Queen for her! Queen will be able to just follow Delta even if Bree can't guide her," Jeremy explained with a cheeky grin. Bree's mouth fell open before her arm snaked out and wrapped around his head as she gave him a noogie.

"Why you little..." she muttered even as she continued to flush from embarrassment. Jeremy wriggled helplessly under her powerful grip and I chuckled, pushing myself out of the saddle and dropping gently back to the ground. Bethany then came forward from where she had been silently observing us and she helped me tend to Delta and Queen after our short ride.

"I understand where Jackson is coming from," she suddenly said as she lifted one of Delta's hooves to check for any rocks that might have lodged into it. "I don't want you and Bree to put yourselves in danger... but I meant what I said earlier. I truly believe you were born to race, Serena. You have a natural connection to Delta's movements and you trust him to take the lead if the situation calls for it."

I blinked rapidly at Bethany's unexpected compliments and turned back to finish brushing Delta's sides. I had to admit that I absolutely loved the thrill of riding Delta. Riding a Rapidash was way different than riding a Rhyhorn. Even though I had adored the rhyhorn I rode, I hated that they were so low to the ground and kicked up sand and dirt into my face. But riding Delta, I never had to worry about that. I could just enjoy the wind in my face and the rush of the speed that I could share with such a powerful pokemon. I considered all of this and jumped slightly when Bethany cleared her throat, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"I've noticed you have been very quiet since we introduced you to Jackson, Serena." She left her statement open, gauging my reaction with her eyes that seemed filled with wisdom. I grimaced slightly and bowed my head.

"I know... I'm sorry," I apologized quietly, letting the brush in my hand fall to my side.

"Does Jackson make you uncomfortable?" Bethany asked kindly, giving me almost a protective look. "Would you like me to speak with him?"

"Oh, no!" I responded quickly, waving my hands in front of me in embarrassment. "I am grateful that Jackson was my fan... I just... don't like to be reminded about my time as a rhyhorn racer. I'm sorry," I muttered, truly feeling bad.

Bethany regarded me for a moment before nodding silently and reaching out to stroke my hair. The gesture was so motherly I nearly started to cry, and I realized that it had already been several months since either I or my mom had contacted each other. She smiled down at me and stroked my head one more time before turning and inclining her head towards her boys and Bree, who all seemed to be bickering about something.

"Come. We'll stay with Jackson until nightfall and then we'll head to the inn, alright?"

"Okay," I said, feeling happy that I could spend more time with Bethany.

* * * * * * *

When the day was coming to a close Bethany, Bree, and I got ready to head out. Jeremy had nearly started crying when we were leaving though, so Jackson told him he could sleep over in his room, which instantly made him happy again. We followed Bethany to a quaint inn that was apparently owned by her childhood friend, Melissa. The two friends greeted each other fondly before Melissa showed us to the stables that she kept maintained specifically for when Bethany came to visit.

After insisting that we could handle taking care of the Rapidash, Melissa and Bethany left us in the stable to go catch up for a bit. Bree and I made quick work of unsaddling and caring for Delta, June, and Queen. Squeaker followed me like a loyal Growlithe as I moved around the stable and I couldn't help but spin around and glomp her every few minutes.

I released Majestoat and Shinx once we got into the stable and they were both exploring the new area with interest. As I was putting the cleaning tools away, from the corner of my eye I could see Majestoat crawling along a beam above Bree and getting ready to pounce.

"Bree..." I called out, but it was too late.

Majestoat leaped, landing nimbly across Bree's shoulders, and began to frantically lick Bree's neck. Bree shrieked with fright and laughter and it took her a moment to yank Majestoat from her shoulder and dangle her over the open air while breathing heavily. I was laughing so hard my knees felt weak and I collapsed to the ground, holding one arm around my stomach while the other looped around Squeaker's back.

"You... huff... little... DEVIL!" Bree gasped out exasperatedly at Majestoat as she smiled delightedly up at her while hanging limply from her hands seemingly without a care in the world. With a final huff, Bree released her hold on Majestoat's side and she fell gracefully to the ground, landing without a problem onto her four clawed feet. She rubbed her forehead briefly against Bree's leg and then bounded over to Squeaker and me.

"You shouldn't scare Bree like that, Majestoat," I scolded gently, to which she just grinned innocently up at me. Once everything was put away and the Rapidash were all munching on hay contentedly, Bree and I walked out of the stable.

We were heading towards the inn where Bethany and Melissa were waiting when a barking laugh came from behind us. The noise surprised me so much that I turned to see what was happening. Two people with islander brown skin and shiny black hair stood behind us. They both looked to be in their early twenties. The one on the left was a boy with his hair pulled back in a loose man bun and a sneer marred his otherwise handsome face. The woman next to him was obviously his sister, although she had curly hair that she left hanging down in waves around her shoulders.

"Something funny?" Bree called out to them, giving them a hard look, and I figured she was thinking what I was about who these unexpected people might be.

"I just canna believe how lame you two look!" the sister said with a snide guffaw. "When we heard that Bethany had brought racers with her this time, we thought you'd be some competition at least... but you're just snot-nosed kids."

Bree's nostrils flared angrily at that comment, and I saw her reaching for her pokeballs clipped to her belt. I slipped my arm through her elbow, holding it fast. She glared down at me with obvious annoyance, but I didn't let go. For some reason I was getting goosebumps all up and down my arms looking at these two and glancing down at my pokemon I saw that both Shinx and Majestoat were silent and tense, staring at the two siblings.

"At least Jackson was a worthy challenger. These girls will fall over with a gust of wind!" the brother sneered, bumping his sister in the side with his elbow. I could feel Bree's arm tense and her jaw clenched angrily, but I tightened my grip, feeling an even bigger chill going down my spine.

Something is wrong, I thought nervously, glancing around. Why do I feel like there's something getting ready to pounce?

"Evening, cuties."

A squeak of fright escaped me and I whirled around, feeling my neck crane back and back as I looked up at the massive man standing a foot behind Bree and me. He was WAY over 6 feet tall, with the same brown skin and glistening black hair as the siblings that had been making fun of us. However, there was an almost predatory look in his black eyes that seemed to be staring right through my chest to my heart that he was thinking of ripping out and eating.

I was frozen by an instinctual fear and I felt Bree grip my arm and push me behind her. Even though she was my same height, she stood as tall as she could and glowered at the mass of muscles and evil intent in front of us seemingly without fear.

"Can we help you?" Bree snarled out ferociously, going full Mama-bear mode. 

Shinx and Majestoat crawled up to flank Bree on either side, their hackles raised at the intimidating man. I saw his black eyes slide up and down Bree for a second before a cold smile split his thin lips and his gaze jumped past her shoulder and landed on me.

"You didnta have nothin' to worry about, Kaeo," the brother behind us called out, causing me to jump a little. I didn't look behind me though. I wasn't sure why this unfounded terror was gripping my entire body, but I knew for certain that I would rather let those two siblings sneak up on me rather than turn my back on their brother. 

Kaeo's eyes crinkled slightly and he reached out a hand that looked like it could completely wrap around my head and brushed his knuckles against Bree's cheek. She let out a grunt of disgust and smacked his hand away. This time when she reached for her belt, I didn't try to stop her.

"Easy, tita. I ain't gonna hurt the little Snorunt," Kaeo said with an islander's speech pattern and enough sarcasm to fill a small pond. Bree stiffened noticeably and glowered up at the hulking man. I blinked at him referring to me as a Snorunt and wondered if I was actually quivering like one.

"WHAT did you just call me?" she growled, sounding like she was ready to sock him. Kaeo laughed but I heard a sound of disgust coming from behind me at the same time.

"Who you callin' tita, brah? If anyone's a tita it's me!" I looked out of the corner of my eye to see the two younger siblings walking around us to stand shoulder to shoulder with their oldest brother. Kaeo pulled back his hand the size of a boxing glove and patted his sister on the head with it.

"Calm down, Mila. I know you're a tita." The other brother scoffed and Kaeo pushed him roughly, nearly causing him to fall to the ground but laughed like it was a joke. " You too, moke, stop worrying so much."

"I assume you're the Stoak siblings," Bree drawled, still shielding me protectively as we watched the strange show of camaraderie between the siblings. Kaeo looked back at Bree and cracked a half smile, showing off his pearly white teeth behind his dark lips.

"Heh, don't be givin' me no stink eye, tita. We came to check out our competition for da race tomorrow," Kaeo said while lazily looking Bree up and down again. I gripped her arm, wondering what I could do to get us out of this, but Bree just placed one hand on her hip and continued glaring up at Kaeo.

"Do you plan on keeping your word and leaving this town after Serena and I beat you?" Bree asked with more bravado than I could believe. After seeing Jackson's approval of my run with Delta, I had actually been feeling fairly confident. Yet I just could not shake the feeling of absolute danger I got from being near this man and his sibling sidekicks.

"Hah! You'll never beat my brother, you little..."

"Mila."

Mila clamped her mouth before whatever insult she had planned could slip out and I saw actual fear in her expression when she looked up to see her brother glaring icily down at her. Her jaw tightened from holding her mouth so firmly closed and she bowed her head submissively, causing my inner fear radar to shoot through the roof. I couldn't help but take a step back and pull Bree with me when Kaeo began to lean down toward her.

"If your little Snorunt wins, then I'll do anything you want, tita," Kaeo announced with a wicked grin. Shinx let out a growl as he got even closer, but Kaeo completely ignored him as he held out one finger and pointed it in Bree's face. "But if we win, then you will be my woman."

"What?!" I squeaked out, warning bells going off in every inner sensor that my body possessed. "N-no way! Bree isn't a prize for a bet!" I cried out, hugging both my arms tightly around hers while trying to be brave. 

Kaeo gave me an amused smirk and opened his mouth to say something. He was interrupted though when Bree once again smacked his hand away but then held her own out between them.

"Deal," she agreed coolly.

"BREE!" I yelled, tugging violently on her arm, but she wouldn't budge even an inch.

"Kaeo, what are you doin'? This chick is lolo!" Kaeo's brother said with a look of obvious confusion. He might as well have been invisible though because Kaeo didn't even react to him, but reached out and enveloped Bree's small hand within his own massive one.

"I don' play by da rules, tita. You better prepare yourself," Kaeo warned, grinning lecherously down at Bree. I shuddered for her since she didn't even flinch, but she pulled her hand out of his and snapped her fingers in his face, actually making him blink.

"Who says I plan to play by the rules, either?" she asked with a raised eyebrow before pushing my hands down her arm until she was holding onto one and I had the other wrapped around our joined fingers. "Serena is going to wipe the floor with you," she declared with that confident bravado that I could never replicate.

Kaeo looked over at me with obvious doubt, but then he smiled and took a step back.

"We'll see you tomorrow then," he said, raising one fist up with the palm facing his chest and extending his thumb and pinky.

I could see Bree raise an eyebrow, looking entirely unamused, and Kaeo laughed a deep, booming sound that reminded me of a Loudred's bellow.

"It's just shaka, tita. It means goodbye," Kaeo rumbled while raising up one eyebrow mockingly at Bree. She huffed out a breath through her nose and he turned and walked away, leading his siblings toward the heart of the town.

Once Kaeo's imposing figure had disappeared from view I released a pent-up breath and wilted down onto the ground, completely exhausted. Shinx and Majestoat both placed their front paws on my legs and I gathered them into my arms to try to draw comfort from them.

"Bree," I said breathily, looking up at her while trying not to cry. "Why did you do that? What if I can't win?"

To my surprise, Bree smiled down at me, like she didn't have a care in the world. I blinked in shock and Bree reached out a hand, offering silently to help me up.

"You will win, Serena," she said simply and with a bright smile. I blinked up at her incredulously and then I laughed. Still laughing, I let go of my precious pokemon and grabbed Bree's hand, allowing her to pull me up.

"I won't let you date that... Thing," I stated firmly, looking her straight in the eye. Bree chuckled and an evil glint came into her eyes.

"I'd like to see the muscle-brain try," she said wickedly. Immediately I felt my anxiety dissipate and I allowed myself to chuckle along with her as we returned to Bethany and prepared for the race.

A/N I'm sure many of you are wanting to know what's goin on with Ash... It's just with Serena everything flows so easily and I want to go into more and more detail, even though it may be too much detail for you guys >.< With the length that this is at I have to cut off the chapter here.